johndgoins

I have a 98 XJ 4 wheel drive. When I went to replace the belt I loosened the Idler Pulley screw and then started to loosens the Idler tension bolt . I think I may have started counter clock wise witch I believe tightens the belt. The bolt was a little tight but loosened quickly. I was able to take the belt off but after reinstalling the belt I tried to tighten the pulley going clockwise and soon realized that was the wrong way and started screwing it counter clock ways and notice the pull starting to tightening. I keep screwing intel I notice the tensioning bolt rising off of the mount. I pulled up on the pulley and was able to move it up. I guess my question is there some kind of bracket/retainer or something that is supposed to keep the tensioner bolt from moving up and down? Im kind of at a loss and been searching online for help. What do I do???

fb97xj1

The lower end of the bolt sits in a hole in the accessory bracket.

Found a pic. Its upside down, but this is whats back there.

Attachment 303547

That small threaded block on the backside the bolt passes thru, and a spacer just behind the pulley on the other side, clamp the bracket to hold tension, by way of the pulley bolt.